Monthly Archives: July 2020

Climbing

When Huey gives back

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24th July 2020

Porthguarnon Cove

Down Under, Up Top – VS 4c – Lead (rpt)
Aoetearoa – HS 4b- Second
The Fixit – VD – Alt Lead

Its been so long since Nick and I have climbed together. I think the last outing was to Swanage for a weekend about 3 years ago. Amazing how time flies and also how times change. COVID wreaking havoc at the moment seemed to actually be a catalyst in this case. Dialing in on Zoom for Nicks birthday provided a perfect opportunity to connect again and get back out on the rock and chatting.

And where better than Predannack. After last years full on Recce’ of the place by Dave and myself it was an easy venue to pick and so we strolled over to Tasmania Rock to grab a couple of newly added classics to Cornwalls huge list of classics.

I expected to be rusty, but the climbs went reasonably well. They’re not strenuous which helps when your out of condition, but they do need a bit of technique. What I like most about these climbs is the remoteness. Its not often you see many other climbers, which gives the place a sense of splendid isolation.

Climbing

6 go wild at Trewarvas

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Well, to be honest there was no wildness at all, but it felt great to be out at last after lock-down. This was mine (and most of the rest of the group’s) first outing on the rock post COVID 19 round 1. And it felt good to be back on the rock.

Crew chilling. Is Pete going to jump.

Lock-down has been OK on the whole for me, with a massive increase in my surfing and MTB’ing activity. But there’s nothing like climbing.

First things first. Piers is now a qualified Ski Tour instructor. What a fantastic achievement. All we need now is to get away with him and get into the back country in the alps. Might have to brush up on my skiing though 🙂

Avalanche with its great top section

This was a chilled session with Tom, Dave, Chris, Piers, Pete and me. All top roping so no drama, with the exception of Pete trying his best to kill himself by falling off the top of the crag – fortunately while still attached to the top rope and with Chris using a Gri-Gri. Funny; but also not funny.

Chris and I remembered that we still have muscles although very unused ones with a voyage up both variations of Avalanche and by finishing on South Groove. Always one to make you think, grunt and swear. Most importantly we were on the magical cliffs of Cornwall. About time this was re-awakened.

Who needs to go abroad

Now to get my lead head back on and start eyeing up thiose pesky E1’s I’ve had on the list for a while. Oh and the big elephant in the room E2. Dave and I have unfinished business with that one!

  • Overacting? No, Daves just topped out on Avalanche
  • Dave and Piers admire the view
  • Who needs to go abroad
  • Avalanche with its great top section
  • Crew chilling. Is Pete going to jump.